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Structured Summary of the Opinion — Anandamayi Temple Litigation

Factual and Procedural Background

The dispute concerns a parcel of land in the town of Dacca on which the Anandamayi temple was erected and two idols (Rudra Nath and Mahamaya) installed together with ornaments and appurtenances. The first plaintiff, Ananda Chandra Chakravarti, a practising lawyer, sued in his personal capacity and also as shebait of the two idols (who are joined as co-plaintiffs). The first defendant, Brajananda Saraswati, claimed to be the mohant of the neighbouring Bura Siva temple and Asthan; the second defendant, Rudra Tridandi Trijuralinga Swami, was alleged by the plaintiff to be the real mohant of that institution. The third and fourth defendants represent the estate of the donor Iswar Chandra Ghosh; the fifth defendant is a priest acting under the first defendant.

The plaintiff's case was that he erected the Anandamayi temple on land obtained by gift from Iswar Chandra Ghosh, installed and consecrated the idols, and exercised founder/shebait rights peacefully until a dispute in 1914 when the first defendant obstructed him. Criminal proceedings under Sections 144 and 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code occurred earlier, culminating in an order (2 March 1915) in favour of the first defendant. The plaintiff filed the present suit on 18 September 1916 to establish and enforce his rights.

The Subordinate Judge found that the disputed site formed part of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan, disbelieved the alleged verbal gift, accepted that the plaintiff had erected the Anandamayi temple and installed the idols, but held that the plaintiff had no special rights distinct from those of the general public and thus dismissed the suit. The plaintiff appealed from that dismissal.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the disputed site of the Anandamayi temple was the private property of the donor (Iswar Chandra Ghosh) or formed part of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan.
  2. Whether the plaintiff, having erected the temple and installed the idols, acquired any special rights (including shebaitship) as founder distinct from the rights of the public.
  3. If the plaintiff is shebait, what rights of access, worship and control over moveables and appointment of pujari follow from that status.
  4. Whether the Subordinate Court correctly limited the plaintiff to his pleadings and whether variance between pleading and proof barred relief on the facts as established.
  5. What relief (declaratory and injunctive) should follow from the court's findings concerning title, dedication, possession and the plaintiff's role as founder/shebait.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant (Plaintiff) — Ananda Chandra Chakravarti

  • Alleged that Iswar Chandra Ghosh had given him the land (by gift) upon which he erected the Anandamayi temple and that he installed and consecrated the idols Rudra Nath and Mahamaya thereon.
  • Claimed founder and shebait rights over the temple and idols and sought to enforce those rights against interference.

Respondent (First Defendant) — Brajananda Saraswati

  • Contended that the site of the Anandamayi temple formed part of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan and was never the property of Iswar Chandra Ghosh (the alleged donor).
  • Argued that the plaintiff had no rights in the temple and idols other than those of any member of the public (i.e., no proprietary or shebait rights).

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Balwant Rao v. Puran Mal Idol dedicated and temple in existence can acquire title by adverse possession. Used to support the proposition that where a temple has existed for more than twelve years the idols may acquire an indefeasible title to the site by adverse possession.
Ram Parkash v. Anand Das Authority on property rights of idols/temples and adverse possession. Cited alongside other authorities to demonstrate that idols may acquire title by adverse possession.
Vidya Varuthi Thirtha v. Balusami Aiyar Authority on title acquired by idols/temples and related proprietary principles. Applied as part of the cluster of precedents supporting adverse possession or acquisition of rights by idols.
Khaw Sim Tek v. Chuah Hoori Gnoh Neoh Authority concerning title and prescription/adverse possession (Privy Council). Referred to in support of the rule that long user/adverse possession can vest title.
Damodar Das v. Lakhan Das Authority on acquisition of title by long possession/adverse possession. Used to reinforce the adverse-possession line of authority applicable to idols and temples.
Sital Das Babaji v. Pertap Chunder Sarma Rule on variance between pleading and proof and shebaitship principles (cited in multiple contexts). Cited to support two propositions: (a) the test for when variance between pleading and proof is immaterial, and (b) as authority for the principle that shebaitship vests in the founder and his heirs.
Jalim Singh Sri Mal v. Choonee Lal Jahurry Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Relied on as part of the authorities showing that pleadings need not be strictly enforced where justice requires.
Nabadwipendra Mookerjee v. Madhu Sudan Mandal Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Used to show established jurisprudence limiting strict application of the variance rule.
Hira Lal v. Giribala Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Cited among cases explaining when variance is immaterial.
Ishan Chandra Dhupi v. Nishi Chandra Dhupi Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Included in the list of precedents allowing judicial flexibility on pleadings.
Satish Kantha Roy v. Satis Chandra Chatterjee Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Relied upon to demonstrate established practice of not applying the variance rule rigidly.
Nepen Bala, Debi v. Siti Kanta Banerjee Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Cited in the same context to show exceptions to strict adherence to pleadings.
Ram Kissen Joydoyal v. Pooran Mull Authority on variance between pleading and proof. Referred to as part of the jurisprudence allowing departure from strict pleadings.
Umar Abdul Rahiman v. Gustadji Viscount Haldane's guidance that variance rules should not be applied abstractly. Quoted to emphasise that the whole of circumstances must be considered; supported refusal to dismiss on technical grounds.
Motabhoy v. Mulji Judicial Committee's decision permitting consideration of evidence even if pleadings do not perfectly align. Relied on to justify consideration of evidence arising under pleadings and to support allowing amendment or relief despite variance.
Basant Singh v. Mahabir Pershad Authority showing Judicial Committee will decide on defects apparent on face of documents even if not clearly raised below. Referred to as an example where the Committee would not be bound by strictly technical views of pleadings.
Fateh Chand v. Kishen Kunwar Judicial Committee authority on application of pleading/variance principles. Used to illustrate exceptions to the rule of strict correspondence between pleading and proof.
Skinner v. Naunihal Singh Judicial Committee authority on pleading and proof. Cited as further support for flexibility in applying the variance rule so justice is served.
Gossami Sri Gridhariji v. Romanlalji Gossami Rule that shebaitship vests in founder and his heirs unless disposed otherwise (Privy Council authority cited repeatedly). Used as key authority establishing that the worship of an idol, when founded, vests shebaitship in the founder and his heirs; applied to hold plaintiff shebait.
Jagadindra Nath Roy v. Hemanta Kumari Debi Authority concerning devolution of trust and founder's rights. Relied on to support the rule that founder (and heirs) normally hold shebaitship unless evidence shows disposition otherwise.
Mohan Lalji v. Girdhanlalji Privy Council authority on founder's rights in religious trusts. Cited to reinforce the proposition that founders retain shebaitship absent contrary evidence.
Ramanathan Chetty v. Murugappa Chetty Authority on trusts of religious endowments and founder rights. Applied to support the general principle of founder's shebaitship.
Raj Krishna Dey v. Bepin Behary Dey Authority on shebaitship and related principles. Referenced among authorities confirming founder's shebait rights.
Sheo Prasad v. Aya Ram Authority concerning founder/shebait principles. Used as supporting precedent for devolution and founder's entitlement.
Kunjamani Dasi v. Nikunja Behary Das Authority on the devolution of trusts and founder rights. Cited in the Court's survey of shebaitship jurisprudence.
Baldeo Das v. Gobind Das Authority related to founder and devolution of temple trusts. Included among precedents affirming founder's rights to shebaitship.
Appasami v. Nagappa Distinction between original founders and subsequent contributors (accretion to a foundation). Applied to explain that subsequent benefactors do not become joint founders merely by later contribution.
Annasami Pilial v. Ramakrishna Mudaliar Authority on founders and accretions to foundations. Used to illustrate the point that later contributors are not joint founders.
St. John's College v. Todington English authority: charitable foundation is creature of the founder; founder may provide governance. Quoted to support the proposition that founder can provide for governance and administration of the charitable/religious foundation.
Green v. Rutherforth Early equity authority on founder's control over a charitable foundation. Referred to as part of the English authorities supporting founder control over governance.
Phillips v. Bury Authority (and later House of Lords consideration) on rights of founders of charitable/religious trusts. Referred to in the discussion of founders' rights and the history of the law on charitable foundations.
Sheoratan Kunwari v. Ram Pargash Authority bearing on shebaitship and founder's rights. Cited among cases that reject limitations of founder's rights to private foundations only.
Raj Krishna Dey v. Bipin Bihari Dey Authority on the law of shebaitship and related matters. Used to demonstrate that founder's rights have been recognised across types of endowments.
Hori Dasi Dabi v. Secretary of State for India in Council Authority rejecting a restriction of founder's rights to private foundations. Applied to show the shebaitship principle applies irrespective of whether a foundation is public or private.
Bansi Kunwar v. Chattar Dhari Singh Authority discussed in relation to limits on founder's rights (context provided). Mentioned as a case whose purported limitation of the founder principle to private foundations was expressly rejected by later authorities.
Gauranga Sahu v. Sudevi Mata Full Bench Madras decision supporting founder's rights in public foundations. Cited as a recent high court authority adopting the view that founder's shebaitship applies to public as well as private foundations.
Sethuramaswamiar v. Meruswamiar Privy Council decision mentioned in relation to founder/shebait jurisprudence. Noted as an authority in the broader discussion; the opinion records its existence without applying a distinct new principle contrary to others cited.
Thackerse Dewraj v. Hurbhum Nursey Authorities on indicia of a public foundation. Cited as one of the cases that set out tests/indicia for determining whether a foundation is public.
Chintaman Bajaji Dev v. Dhondo Ganesh Authority on indicia of public foundation. Included among authorities the court said must be considered when the question of public character arises.
Shri Dhundiraj Ganesh Dev v. Ganesh Authority on public foundation indicia. Listed as relevant when investigating whether a foundation has assumed a public character.
Raghubar Dial v. Kesho Ramanuj Das Authority addressing tests for public foundations. Referenced as part of the body of law setting out indicia of a public foundation.
Peesapati Sitaramanujachari v. Kanduri Vellamma Authority on public foundation indicia and user by the public. Included among cases to be considered when determining public character of a foundation.
Muthiah Chetty v. Periannan Chetti Authority on tests for public foundation. Referred to as part of the survey of indicia for public foundations.
Subramania Aiyar v. Venkatachala Vadhyar Authority on public foundation indicia. Listed by the court as relevant when deciding public character questions.
Subramania Aiyar v. Lakshmana Goundan Authority on public foundation indicia. Included among cases to be examined if the public foundation question arises.
Kashi Bashi Ramalinga Swamee v. Chitumber Nath Koomar Authority concerning offshoot mutts and subordinate institution relations. Cited to explain the limited circumstances in which one institution may be subsidiary to another and the legal consequences.
Giyana Sambandha Pandara Sannadhi v. Kandasami Tambiran Authority on subordinate institution relation to parent mutt. Listed to illustrate when a mutt may be considered an offshoot and the legal implications thereof.
Kaliasam Pillay v. Nataraja Tambiran Authority on subordinate institutional relationships. Cited among cases dealing with institutional relations between mutts and subsidiary foundations.
Vithalbowa v. Narayan Daji Authority on institutional relationships and devolution. Included as part of the jurisprudence describing when an offshoot relation might apply.
Mohunt Muhadeo v. Raj Bullubh Authority touching on mutt relationships and succession. Mentioned in a list of cases governing relations between parent and subordinate religious institutions.
Pray ad Das v. Mohunth Kriparam Authority on mutt/subordinate institution relations. Appears in the list of precedents on institutional dependency and succession.
Gossain Dowlut Geer v. Bissessur Geer Authority relevant to mutt-related succession issues. Referred to among other cases on institutional succession and relations.
Maharanee Indurjeet Kooer v. Chundemun Misser Authority distinguishing the pujari/archak from the shebait. Used to emphasise that the pujari is appointed by the shebait and does not become shebait by holding office.
Nafar Chandra Chatterjee v. Kailash Chandra Mondal Authority on pujari/archak not being the shebait and related principles. Cited to support that the pujari's office does not transfer shebait rights or obligations.
Nanabhai v. Trimbak Authority that pujari is not entitled to continuation as matter of right. Referenced to show limits on a pujari's tenure and difference from shebait's rights.
Narayana v. Ranga Authority on pujari office and rights. Cited to reinforce that the archak is appointed by the shebait and holds no shebait powers by virtue of appointment.
Jagannaha Chariar v. Seenu Bhattchariar Authority on rights of pujari and related succession/appointment matters. Used to support the court's distinction between pujari and shebait.
Seshadri Aiyangar v. Ringa Bhattar Authority on appointment/rights of pujari and their non-transferability. Cited as further authority distinguishing the role of pujari from the shebait.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court proceeded in stages, restricting itself to findings supported by the record and by accepted legal principles stated in the authorities cited.

  1. On original title: The court accepted the Subordinate Judge's exhaustive review that the conveyances relied on by the plaintiff were imprecise in their boundaries and did not satisfactorily prove ownership in the donor's predecessors. The court agreed that the site of the Anandamayi temple forms part of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan.
  2. On the alleged gift/dedication: The court stressed the well-settled principle that dedication divests proprietorship only when the founder has title. Because of uncertainties in the donor's title (including the donor's limited fractional interest), the court found the alleged verbal gift unproven and noted it was improbable that an orthodox Hindu plaintiff would erect a temple on land where title was in substantial doubt.
  3. On the erection and use of the temple: The court accepted evidence (as found by the Subordinate Judge) that the plaintiff cleared the site in or about 1897, constructed the Anandamayi temple, and installed and consecrated the idols on 1 May 1900. From 1900 until 1914 the plaintiff had free access and regularly participated in worship; additional structures were built by friends and by the donor.
  4. On legal consequences of long use and possible concurrence: The court identified two possible ways the temple could have been established on land within the Asthan — either by forcible occupation by the plaintiff or with tacit/express concurrence of the then-mohunt. In either scenario the present first defendant (if now claiming to be mohant) could not treat the plaintiff as a trespasser and exclude him. If forcible possession existed but continued for more than twelve years, the court noted precedent for idols acquiring indefeasible title by adverse possession. If the temple was erected with the concurrence of a prior mohant, the present mohant could not revoke an arrangement sanctioned by his predecessor.
  5. On pleading and proof: The court reviewed authorities on variance between pleading and proof and concluded that strict adherence to pleadings is not absolute. The appropriate test is whether a defendant would be surprised or hampered in his defence if relief were granted on facts established by evidence. The court invoked this principle to justify granting relief even if the precise pleadings did not match every fact proved.
  6. On shebaitship: After surveying substantial authority, the court held that when worship of an idol has been founded, shebaitship vests in the founder and his heirs unless disposed of otherwise or unless usage indicates a different mode of devolution. The court applied this principle to the present facts and concluded that the plaintiff was at least one of the founders and, therefore, the shebait of the idols Rudra Nath and Mahamaya.
  7. On the character of the foundation: The court observed that it was unnecessary, for present purposes, to decide whether the Anandamayi temple is a public or private foundation. The court explained that whether public or private, the three-fold principle of devolution applies: (i) devolution depends on creation terms or usage; (ii) worship vests in the founder and heirs absent contrary evidence; and (iii) failure of a shebait to nominate a successor returns management to the founder and his representatives.
  8. On the first defendant's claim to shebaitship: The court noted difficulties in accepting the first defendant's asserted status. Evidence showed the first defendant was a child around the time the temple was founded and that the second defendant acted as his guardian; the first defendant's later development into a mohant was not convincingly shown. There was no evidence that the founder expressly vested shebaitship in the mohant of the Bura Siva temple or that such appointment could be implied from common sacerdotal employment.
  9. Summation of established positions: The court distilled the evidence into a set of concrete findings (enumerated in the opinion): among them, that the plaintiff had no personal right in the temple (only in his capacity as shebait), that he is a founder and shebait entitled to free access for worship, that the temple for those purposes comprises a specified block of rooms/verandah and adjoining pavement and deeded strip, that he can have worship conducted by a pujari using moveables belonging to the idols, and that the contesting defendant cannot interfere with his discharge of shebait duties.

Holding and Implications

Core Ruling: The appeal is allowed in part and the decree of the Subordinate Judge is set aside.

The court directed that a decree be entered in favour of the plaintiff containing the (stated) declarations regarding his status and rights as shebait and granting an injunction restraining the first defendant from interfering with the plaintiff in the discharge of his duties as shebait. The court further provided that if a dispute arises as to access to the Anandamayi temple, the Subordinate Judge shall decide the matter in execution and give directions necessary to carry out the decree. Each party was ordered to pay his own costs in both the High Court and the Court below.

Implications: As expressly stated in the opinion, the immediate effect is declaratory and injunctive relief in favour of the plaintiff in his capacity as shebait. The court did not announce a novel overriding precedent beyond applying established principles: (a) dedication requires title; (b) long user or prior concurrence may produce rights in favour of the founder/idols (including adverse-possession consequences); and (c) shebaitship generally vests in founders and their heirs unless disposed of otherwise. The opinion emphasises that the question whether the temple is a public foundation was unnecessary to resolve for the relief granted, and that if that question arises later, established indicia and authorities must be considered.

Costs: Each party to bear their own costs both in this Court and in the Court below.

    Ananda Chandra Chakravarti v. Broja Lal Singh And Ors.

    1. The subject-matter of the litigation which has culminated in this appeal is a parcel of land in the town of Dacca temple erected thereon, two idols installed therein, together with ornaments and other articles appurtenant there to. The first plaintiff is Ananda Chandra Chakravarti, a member of the legal profession, practising at Dacca, and he has commenced this litigation, on his own behalf and also as shebait of the two idols, Rudra Nath and Mahamaya, images of god Siva and goddess Durga espectively) who are joined as co-plaintiffs. The first defendant, Brajananda Saraswati claims to be the mohant of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan, an ancient religious foundation situated in the town of Dacca n the immediate neighbourhood of the disputed temple. The second defendant Rudra Tridandi Trijuralinga Swami is alleged by the plaintiff to be the real mohunt of the Bura Siva temple) who resides at Swamibag in the town of Dacca. The third and fourth defendants are epresentatives of the estate of the late Iswar Chandra Ghosh, sometime Government Pleader at Dacca. The fifth defendant, Birendra Chandra Chaudhuri, is said to be a priest acting tinder the direction of the first defendant. The case for the plaintiff is that the disputed temple, known as the Anandamayi temple, was erected by him on land obtained by way of gift from Iswar Chandra Ghosh, that the idols were established by him, and that he peacefully exercised his rights as founder shebait till the time of the Durga Puja of 1914 when the first defendant raised a dispute and obstructed him. He was, however, able to perform the Puja, as an order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was made by the authority. out proceedings were instituted shortly afterwards under Section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which resulted infonly, having been merged in a decree.

    an order made on the 2nd March 1915, in favour of the first defendant. The plaintiff accordingly institute d the present suit on the 18th September 1916 to establish and enforce his rights in respect of the Anandamayi temple and the idols Rudra Nath and Mahamaya. The first defendant alone contested the claim the second defendant, so far as can be gathered from the record, lent his support to the plaintiff. The contesting defendant urged that the site of the temple was land comprised within the ambit of the Bura Siva temple arid Asthan and was at no time the property of Iswar Chandra Ghose, the donor of the plaintiff. He further alleged that the plaintiff had no right in respect of the disputed temple and the idols installed therein, except such as is possessed by every member of the public. The Subordinate Judge has come to the conclusion that the site of the temple did not belong to Iswar Chandra Ghose, but was comprised in the Bura Siva temple and Asthan. He has also disbelieved the story of verbal gift by Iswar Chandra Ghose in favour of the plaintiff. He has found, however, that the Anandamayi temple was in fact erected by the plaintiff and that the idols were established by him. But in the opinion of the Subordinate Judge, this Goes not confer on the plaintiff any special rights distinct from those enjoyed by the members of the public in general. In this view, the Subordinate Judge has dismissed the suit. This is the decision assailed in the present appeal.

    2. As regards the original title to the site whereon the Anandamayi temple stands, we have scrutinised the entire evidence, which has been minutely discussed before us. On this part of the case, we are not prepared to dissent from the conclusion or the Subordinate Judge which is based on an accurate and exhaustive review of the evidence. The conveyances relied upon by the plaintiff contain boundaries which cannot be identified with precision, and these documents do not prove that the disputed land was owned by the predecessors-in-interest of Iswar Chandra Ghose. We cannot further overlook that there are difficulties in connection with the alleged gift by Iswar Chandra Ghose in favour of the plaintiff, which have not been satisfactorily removed. Even if it be assumed that the disputed land is covered by the conveyances, Iswar Chandra Ghose never acquired title to the entire property, whatever interest he acquired did not, so far as can be made out, exceed 17-24ths share. It is difficult to believe that the plaintiff, admittedly an orthodox Hindu, should have erected a temple on a. site the title whereof was in part at least involved in uncertainty. It is well settled that dedication vests the property in the idol, only when the founder has title. The ceremony divests the proprietorship of the temple from the builder and vests that the image which by process of notification has acquired existence as a juridical personage; for, as Vijnaneswara juts it, gift consists in the relinquishment of one's own right and the creation of the right of another. This is feasible only when tae dedicator has himself title, apart from this, the Subordinate Judge has rightly emphasised that a person in the position of the plaintiff was not likely to accept a gift without a deed or to erect a temple on land obtained by way of gift. On the other hand, we have the undoubted fact that the lands towards the west as also towards the east of the disputed temple site, belong to the Bura Siva temple and Asthan. This again renders it highly improbable that the intermediate parcel should have been the property of private idividuals. We must, consequently, accept the finding of the Subordinate Judge that the site of the Anandamayi temple forms part of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan. We have next to consider how and when the Anandamayi temple was erected and the idols installed therein.

    3. The evidence, which has been accepted by the Subordinate Judge, establishes beyond dispute that in or about the year 1897 the plaintiff cleared the disputed site and commenced the construction of what is now known as the Anandamayi temple. The images of Siva and Durga were installed and consecrated by the plaintiff on the 1st May 1900 and were named Rudra Nath and Mahamaya after his father and mother, respectively. In the year following, the plaintiff constructed a raised pavement towards the north of the temple so that the ceremony known as prudakihin (circumambulation), might be conveniently performed by the worshippers. In 1902 the plaintiff acquired a strip of land towards the south and dedicated the same to the idols established by him. The evidence makes it abundantly clear that from 1900 to 1914 the plaintiff had free access to the temple and regularly took parte in the worship. There is also evidence to show that other structures were erected by friends of the plaintiff, for instance, the gate rooms were constructed by Krishna Kishore Basak, while the front corridor was built at the cost of Is war Chandra Ghose. We have thus the cardinal fact that on land comprised within the As than of Bura Siva, the plaintiff has erected a temple, wherein he has ii stalled and consecrated two idols and has had, for a period of more than fourteen years, free access and opportunity for regular participation in the worship. This could have happened in either of two ways. The plaintiff may have by force obtained possession of the land and erected the temple thereon; or the plaintiff may have erected the temple with the concurrence, tacit or express, of the Mohunt of Bura Siva temple and Asthan for the time being. In either view, the first defendant--if he be assumed to be the present mohunt--is not competent to treat the plaintiff as a trespasser and to exclude him from the Anandamayi temple. If the first alternative be adopted, as the temple has been in existence for over twelve years, the idols to whom it is dedicated have acquired an indefeasible title to the site by adverse possession Balwant Rao v. Puran Mal 10 I.A. 90 : 6 A.I. : 13 C.L.R. 39 : 4 Sar. P.C.J. 435 : 3 Ind. Dec. (N.s.) 352 (P.C.); Ram Parkash v. Anand Das 33 Ind. Cas. 583 : 43 I.A. 73 : 20 C.W.N. 802 : 14 A.L.J. 621 : (1916) 1 M.W.N. 406 : 31 M.L.J. 1 : 18 Bom. L.R. 490 : 3 L.W. 556 : 24 C.L.J. 116 : 43 C. 107 : 20 M.L.T. 267 (P.C.); Vidya Varuthi Thirtha v. Balusami Aiyar 65 Ind. Cas. 161 : 48 I.A. 302 : (1921) M.W.N. 449 : 41 M.L.J. 346 : 44 M. 831 : 3 U.P.L.R. (P.C.) 62 : 15 L.W. 78 : 30 M.L.T. 66 : 3 P.L.T. 245 : 26 C.W.N. 537 : 24 Bom. L.R. 619 : 20 A.L.J. 497 : (1922) A.L.R. (P.C.) 123 (P.C.); Khaw Sim Tek v. Chuah Hoori Gnoh Neoh (1922) 1 A.C. 120 : 120 (sic) 203 : 91 L.J.P.C. 36; Damodar Das v. Lakhan Das 7 Ind. Cas. 240 : 37 C. 885 : 14 C.W.N. 889 : 12 C.L.J. 110 : (1910) M.W.N. 303 : 7 A.L.J. 791 : 8 M.L.T. 145 : 20 M.L.J. 624 : 12 Bom. L.R. 632 : 37 I.A. 147 (P.C.). If the second alternative, which seems the more probable, be adopted the present mohunt is not competent to revoke the arrangement sanctioned by his predecessor, which resulted in the erection of the temple and the installation of the idols. It is thus plain that even if the conclusion of the Subordinate Judge that the disputed site formed part of the Bura Siva Asthan be affirmed, it does not necessarily follow that the plaintiff has no rights on the facts admitted and proved.

    4. It may be conceded that, as a general rule, the parties should be kept to their pleadings, but, as has been repeatedly pointed out, this is not of universal application, and every variance between pleading and proof is not fatal. The rule that the pleading and proof must correspond is intended to serve a double purpose, first to apprise the defendant distinctly and specifically of the case he is called upon to answer; and, secondly, to preserve an accurate record of the cause of action as a protection against a second proceeding upon the same allegations. The test thus, is, whether the defendant will be taken by surprise if relief is granted on the facts established by the evidence or, as has Sometimes been said, a variance between a pleading and what is proved is immaterial unless it hampers a defence or unless it relates to an integral part of the cause of action; Sital Das Babaji v. Pertap Chunder Sarma 3. Ind. Cas. 408 : 11 C.L.J. 2; Jalim Singh Sri Mal v. Choonee Lal Jahurry 11 Ind. Cas. 540 : 15 C.W.N. 882; Nabadwipendra Mookerjee v. Madhu Sudan Mandal 16 Ind. Cas. 741 : 18 C.W.N. 474; Hira Lal v. Giribala, 34 Ind. Cas. 444 : 23 C.L.J. 429; Ishan Chandra Dhupi v. Nishi Chandra Dhupi 41 Ind. Cas. 378 : 29 C.L.J. 1 : 22 C.W.N. 853; Satish Kantha Roy v. Satis Chandra Chatterjee 55 Ind. Cas. 689 : 30 C.L.J. 475 : 24 C.W.N. 662; Nepen Bala, Debi v. Siti Kanta Banerjee 8 Ind. Cas. 41 : 12 C.L.J. 459 : 15 C.W.N. 158; Ram Kissen Joydoyal v. Pooran Mull 56 Ind. Cas. 571 : 31 C.L.J. 259 : 47 C. 733. It is on this ground that Viscount Haldane emphasised in Umar Abdul Rahiman v. Gustadji 34 Ind. Cas. 268 : 20 C.W.N. 297 : 3 L.W. 308 (1916) 1 M.W.N. 137 : 30 M.L.J. 444 (P.C.) that the principle of variance between pleading and proof should not be applied in an abstract way the whole of the circumstances must be taken into account and carefully scruitinised as the question is, in ultimate analysis, one of circumstances and not of law. To the same effect is the decision of the Judicial Committee in Motabhoy v. Mulji 29 Ind. Cas. 223 : 42 I.A. 103 : 30 B. 399 : 17 M.L.T. 402 : 28 M.L.J. 589, 13 A.L.J 529 : 19 C.W.N. 713 : 21 C.L.J. 507 : 17 Bom. L.R. 460 : 2 L.W. 524 : (1915) M.W.N. 522 (P.C.) where Lord Dunedin said that, as evidence had been fully taken on a plea arising in the case, it was not proper for the Court to decide against a party of a strict construction of the pleadings without considering such evidence, specially when such a technical view might have been obviated by an amendment of the pleadings. Similarly, in Basant Singh v. Mahabir Pershad 19 Ind. Cas. 340 : 40 I.A. 86 : 35 A. 273 : 17 C.W.N. 669 : (1913) M.W.N. 481 : 11 A.L.J. 469 : 17 C.L.J. 566 : 15 Bom. L.R. 525 : 16 O.C. 136 : 14 M.L.T. 64 : 25 M.L.J. 301 (P.C.), Lord Atkinson observed that, where a defect in title was apparent on the face of the documents the Judicial Committee would decide the case accordingly, even though the point had not been clearly raised in the Courts below. Reference may, in this connection, be made to the decisions of the Judicial Committee in Fateh Chand v. Kishen Kunwar 16 Ind. Cas. 67 : 39 I.A. 247 : 34 A. 579 : 16 C.W.N. 1033 : 23 M.L.J. 330 : 12 M.L.T. 413 : (1912) M.W.N. 1065 : 10 A.L.J. 335 : 14 Bom. L.R. 1090 : 17 C.L.J. 1 (P.C.) and Skinner v. Naunihal Singh 19 Ind. Cas. 267 : 40 I.A. 105 : 35 A. 211 : (1923) M.W.N. 500 : 13 M.L.T. 488 : 11 A.L.J. 494 : 17 C.L.J. 555 : 15 Bom. L.R. 502 : 17 C.W.N. 853 : 25 M.L.J. 111 (P.C.). These cases show that, although the plaintiff must ordinarily adhere to the claim as brought the Court will depart from strict enforcement of this rule where it is satisfied that justice will not be done between the parties, if the suit were dismissed on a technical ground, with the prospect of further litigation for the determination of a controversy then substantially ripe for settlement.

    5. Now it is well settled that when the worship of an idol has been founded, the shebaitship is vested in the founder and his heirs, unless he has disposed of it otherwise, or there has been some usage or course of dealing which points to a dinerent mode of devolution; Gossami Sri Gridhariji v. Romanlalji Gossami 17 C. 3 : 16 I.A. 137 : 13 Ind. Jur. 211 : 5 Sar. P.C.J. 350 : 8 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 541 (P.C.); Jagadindra Nath Roy v. Hemanta Kumari Debi 31 I.A. 203 : 32 C. 129 : 8 C.W.N. 809 : 6 Bom. L.R. 765 : 1 A.L.J. 585 : 8 Sar. P.C.J. 698 (P.C.); Mohan Lalji v. Girdhanlalji 19 Ind. Cas. 337 : 40 I.A. 97 : 35 A. 283 : 17 C.W.N. 741 : 11 A.L.J. 548 : 17 C.L.J. 612 : 15 Bom. L.R. 606 : (1913) M.W.N. 536 : 14 M.L.T. 27 (P.C.); Ramanathan Chetty v. Murugappa Chetty 33 I.A. 139 : 29 M. 283 : 8 Bom. L.R. 498 : 16 M.L.J. 265; 10 C.W.N. 825 : 1 M.L.T. 327 : 3 A.L.J. 707 : 4 C.L.J. 189 (P.C.); Sital Das Babaji v. Pertap Chunder Sarma 3 Ind. Cas. 408 : 11 C.L.J. 2; Raj Krishna Dey v. Bepin Behary Dey 17 Ind. Cas. 162 : 17 C.W.N. 591 : 40 C. 245 : 16 C.L.J. 194; Sheo Prasad v. Aya Ram 29 A. 663 : A.W.N. (1907) 210 : 4 A.L.J. 565; Kunjamani Dasi v. Nikunja Behary Das 32 Ind. Cas. 823 : 22 C.L.J. 404 : 20 C.W.N. 314; Baldeo Das v. Gobind Das 23 Ind. Cas. 18 : 36 A. 161 : 12 A.L.J. 179. In the application of this rule, it may not be always easy to determine who are the founders, one person may provide the site of the temple another may build the temple and establish the idol, while a third may dedicate property for the performance of the daily services of the idol. Where the owner of the site relinquishes his right in the land, he may not be a founder, unless he indicates, at the time, expressly or impliedly, that he will associate himself with the others in carrying out the object of the foundation; Venkata v. Narain (1854) Mad. S.D.A. 100. Prima facie, all the persons who establish the worship are entitled to take part in the management. In England, it has been ruled that the person providing the original endowment is the founder rather than the person who performs the act of incorporation, which involves a distinction between the foundatio incipiens and the foundation percipients; Sutton's Hospital Case (1613) 10 Coke 23a : 77 E.R. 960, Anon. (1699) 12 Mod. 233 : 88 E.R. 1284. Shelford on Mortmain, page 27. If a number of persons provide the original endowment, they may apparently together constitute the founder: In the matter of the St. Leonard Shoreditch Parochial Schools (1884) 10 A.C. 304 : 56 L.J.P.C. 30 : 51 L.T. 305 : 33 W.R. 756. But persons who subsequent to the foundation, furnish additional contributions do not thereby become joint founders their benefaction is regarded as nothing beyond an accretion to an existing foundation Appasami v. Nagappa 7 M. 499 : 2 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 931; Annasami Pilial v. Ramakrishna Mudaliar 24 M. 219 : M.L.J. 1; Gossami Sri Gridhariji v. Romanlalji Gossami 17 C. 3 : 16 I.A. 137 : 13 Ind. Jur. 211 : 5 Sar. P.C.J. 350 : 8 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 541 (P.C.). In the case before us, there is no room for controversy that the plaintiff is, it not the sole founder, at least one of the founders. As stated by Lord Mansfield in St. John's College v. Todington (1757) 1 Bur. 158 at p. 200 : 97 E.R. 245, a charitable foundation, in so far as it is charitable, is the creature of the founder, and on this view Lord Harwicke had ruled in Green v. Rutherforth (1750) 1 Ves. Sen 462 at pp. 468, 472 : 27 E.R. 1144 that the founder may provide for the governing aid administration of his creature, see also the decision of the King's Bench in Phillips v. Bury (1690) 1 Ld. Raym. 5 : 91 E.R. 900 : Comb. 265 : Holt 715 : 4 Mod. 106 : Skin. 447 : Carth. 180 : 1 Shower 360 : 2 T.R. 346 : 100 E.R. 186, which was ultimately taken up to the House of Lords; Phillips v. Bury (1694) Shower P.C. 351 : E.R. 24 and contains an elaborate review of the rights of founders of charitable and religious trusts The plaintiff is consequently, shebait of the idols installed by him in the temple erected by means of his contribution for the worship and service. The Subordinate Judge has assumed in his judgment that the Anandamayi temple, founded by the plaintiff, is a public temple, and from this he has inferred that the plaintiff cannot be the shebait. He has overlooked, however, that there is weighty authority in support of the position that the shebaitship is vested in the founder and his heirs unless he has disposed of it otherwise, equal in the case of private and public endowments. No distinction between the two classes of cases has been drawn in this respect in the judicial decisions. Thus in Sheoratan Kunwari v. Ram Pargash 18 A. 227 : A.W.N. (1896) 37 : 8 Ind. Dec (N.S.) 858, Sital Das Babaji v. Pertap Chunder Sarma 3 Ind. Cas. 408 : 11 C.L.J. 2, Raj Krishna Dey v. Bipin Bihari Dey 18 Ind. Cas. 961 : 40 C. 251 : 17 C.L.J. 189 and Hori Dasi Dabi v. Secretary of State for India in Council 5 C. 228 : 5 Ind. Jur. 30 : 4 C.L.R. 77 : 2 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 756, the contention was expressly overruled that the principle enunciated in Bansi Kunwar v. Chattar Dhari Singh 5 B.L.R. 181 : 13 W.R. 396, and approved by the Judicial Committee in Gossami Sri Gridhariji v. Romanlalji Gossami 17 C. 3 : 16 I.A. 137 : 13 Ind. Jur. 211 : 5 Sar. P.C.J. 350 : 8 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 541 (P.C.), is confined to private foundations and does not extend to public trusts. The same view has been recently adopted by a pull Bench of the Madras High Court in Gauranga Sahu v. Sudevi Mata 41 Ind. Cas. 589 : 40 M. 612 : 32 M.L.J. 597 : (1917) M.W.N. 429 (F.B.), see however, Sethuramaswamiar v. Meruswamiar 43 Ind. Cas. 806 : 45 I.A. 1 : 41 M. 296 : 7 L.W. 22 : 4 P.L.W. 91 : 34 M.L.J. 130 : 16 A.L.J. 113 : 27 C.L.J. 231 : 22 C.W.N. 457 : 20 Bom. L.R. 514 (P.C.), Consequently, whether a foundation be public or private, the three-fold principle is applicable, namely, (i) the devolution of the trust, upon the death of default of each trustee, depends upon the terms on which it was created; or the usage of the particular institution where no express; trust deed exists; (it) the worship of the idol is vested in the founder and his heirs, in default of evidence to show that he has disposed of It otherwise, and (iii) where a shebait appointed by the founder fails to nominate a successor in accordance with the conditions or usage of the endowment, the management reverts to the founder and his representatives, even though the endowment has assumed s public character. It is thus unnecessary to decide for the purposes of this case whether the Anandamayi temple is or is not a public foundation. If and when the question arises, the indicia of a public foundation, as enunciated in Thackerse Dewraj v. Hurbhum Nursey 8 B. 432 : 4 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 664; Chinta man Bajaji Dev v. Dhondo Ganesh 15 B. 612 : 8 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 413; Shri Dhundiraj Ganesh Dev v. Ganesh 18 B. 72 : 9 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 990; Raghubar Dial v. Kesho Ramanuj Das 11 A. 18 : A.W.N. (1888) 276 : 13 Ind. Jur. 148 : 6 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 439; Peesapati Sitaramanujachari v. Kanduri Vellamma 30 Ind. Cas. 822 : 18 M.L.T. 543 : 2 L.W. 858 : (1915) M.W.N. 842; Muthiah Chetty v. Periannan Chetti 34 Ind. Cas. 551 : 4 L.W. 228; Subramania Aiyar v. Venkatachala Vadhyar 37 Ind. Cas. 688 : 4 L.W. 444 : (1916) 2 M.W.N. 351; Subramania Aiyar v. Lakshmana Goundan 54 Ind. Cas. 177 : 27 M.L.T. 11 (1919) M.W.N. 899 must be carefully considered, and the existence or otherwise of obvious tests, such as user by the public, worship by the public and offerings by the public, must be investigated. It is sufficient to observe here that the fact that the site of the Anandamayi temple formed part of the land of the Bura Siva temple and Asthan, does not make it a public foundation. Much less does it justify the inference that the mohant of the Bura Siva temple became, by operation of law, the shebait of the new temple. There is also no room for the application of the principle, sometimes applied, when one mutt is an offshoot of a parent mutt and stands in the relation of a subordinate institution to a superior foundation; Kashi Bashi Ramalinga Swamee v. Chitumber Nath Koomar 20 W.R. 217 : 2 Suth P.C.J. 886 (P.C.); Giyana Sambandha Pandara Sannadhi v. Kandasami Tambiran 10 M. 375 : 3 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 1015; Kaliasam Pillay v. Nataraja Tambiran 5 Ind. Cas. 4 : 33 M. 265 : 7 M.L.T. 11 : 19 M.L.J. 778; Vithalbowa v. Narayan Daji 18 B. 507 : 9 Ind. Dec. (N.S.) 847; Mohunt Muhadeo v. Raj Bullubh (1846) Beng S.D.A. 376 : 9 Ind. Dec. (O.S.); Pray ad Das v. Mohunth Kriparam 8 C.L.J. 499, and Gossain Dowlut Geer v. Bissessur Geer 19 W.R. 215. There is, further, no evidence in the case before us that the shebaitship of Rudra Nath and Mahamaya was expressly vested by the founder in the mohunt of the Bura Siva temple and his successors from generation to generation. Nor can the inference of such appointment, by implication, be drawn from the circumstance that the worship at the Bura Siva temple as also that at the Anandamayi temple was conducted by the same pujari or priest, namely, by Ramji Bhutananda, Sankarananda and Ram Nath successively; they all received, as the evidence indicates, extra perquisites for their services as pujari in the Anandamayi temple. This, indeed, might be expected to happen in the nor mat course of events; the pujari who carried on the worship the Bura Siva temple would naturally be found the most convenient man to employ for the purpose of the worship in the Anandamayi temple and this arrangement might well continue till a dispute broke, out as it did, when the fifth defendant Birendra Chandra wasbrougbt in by the first defendant as priest. It must not further be overlooked that the pujari or archak is not the shebait; he is appointed by the shebait, as the purohit to conduct the Worship but that does not transfer the rights and obligations of the shebait to the purohit; Maharanee Indurjeet Kooer v. Chundemun Misser 16 W.R. 99; Nafar Chandra Chatterjee v. Kailash Chandra Mondal 62 Ind. Cas. 510 : 25 C.W.N. 201; and he is not entitled to be continued as a matter of right in his office as pujari Nanabhai v. Trimbak (1878) P.J. 195; Narayana v. Ranga 15 M. 183 : 2 M.L.J. 19 : 5 Ind. Dec. (N.S.); Jaganna ha Chariar v. Seenu Bhatttchariar 51 Ind. Cas. 869 : 42 M. 618 : 36 M.L.J. 361 : (1919) M.W.N. 240; Seshadri Aiyangar v. Ringa Bhattar 10 Ind. Cas. 548 : 35 M. 631 : 21 M.L.J. 580 : 10 M.L.T. 14. We may finally point out that, as in this case the first defendant claims to belong to the Dasnami Sampraday, it is difficult to appreciate, how he could become the shebait of a temple dedicated to Durga; Dasnami Mutts founded by the ten disciples of the four most favourite pupils of Sankara are Saiva Mutts. We need not, however, pursue this aspect of the case further. The Anandamayi temple, as we have seen, was erected during the years 1897-1900. The first defendant was admittedly not the mohatit at the time. The evidence shows that on the 5th July 1901 he took admission into a secondary school and was described as a boy whose age was given as nine years, but who appeared to the Head Master to be eleven years old. His caste was given as Kshetriya, a son of Tripuran Nanda Giri, who, as we know, had died two years previously. He was represented as living under the guardianship of Tridandi Tripuralinga Swami, the second defendant in this litigation. It is manifest that when the Anandamayi temple was constructed by the plaintiff, the first defendant was of such immature age that he could not be expected to possess a personal knowledge of the relevant events of that period. His father died in 1899 before the temple was completed, and the second defendant, whom he has since repudiated, acted at the time as his protector. The evidence does not furnish a convincing account of his subsequent history, much less does it show how he developed into a mohant. This much is plain that the second defendant is reluctant to acknowledge him, while the plaintiff does not hesitate to treat him as an imposter, who has never attained the strict path of sanctity. On this state of the record, we need not investigate here his precise relation to the Bura Siva temple and Asthan, especially as there is a dispute on that very subject between him and the second defendant. To determine what relief should be granted to the plaintiff, it is sufficient to hold that the following positions are established on the evidence:

    (i) that the plaintiff has no personal right in the Anandamayi temple and is not entitled to maintain this suit in his personal capacity;

    (ii) that the plaintiff is founder of the Anandamayi temple and has installed and consecrated the idols Rudra Nath and Mahamaya to whom the temple has been dedicated;

    (iii) that the plaintiff is shebait of the two idols and is entitjed to maintain this suit only in his character as shebait;

    (iv) that as such shebait the plaintiff is entitled to free access to the temple for purposes of the daily and periodical worship;

    (v) that, for the,, above, purpose the Anandamayi temple will betaken to comprise the block of three rooms and verandah together with the payment towards the east and north as shown an Exhibit 1 (map produced by defendant, No. 1 on 5th February 1920 and admitted in evidence) as also the land covered by the deed of gift executed by the plaintiffs on the 20th February 1902,

    (vi) that as shebait, the plaintiff is entitled to have the worship of the idols Rudra Nath and Mahamaya conducted by the pujari or atchak and to use for that purpose the moveables which belong to the idols,

    (vii) that the contesting defendant is not entitled to interfere with the plaintiff in the discharge of his duties as shebait,

    6. The result is that this appeal is allowed in part and the decree of the Subordinate Judge set aside. A decree will be made in favour of the plaintiff containing the six declarations mentioned above and granting him an injunction to restrain the first defendant from interfering with him in the discharge of his duties as shebait in, terms of the declaration. If any dispute arises as to the access to the Anandamayi temple, the Subordinate Judge will decide the matter in execution and Rive such directions as may be necessary to carry out the terms of this decree. Each party will pay his own costs both here and in the Court below.

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